The importance of music's connection with academics is that it leads to success in other areas, especially if engaged at an early age. For example, mothers often sing lullabies to their child and it will often respond with positive behavior. Children, in their elementary school years or younger associate a music with learning how to count for example. Musical instruction increases mathematical skills and ability to solve problems. This type of thinking that music allows to humans to tap into much more easily is called spatial-temporal reasoning. Spatial-temporal reasoning is the key to higher brain functions and is required in areas such as mathematics, science and engineering. Successful schools around the world have figured out that arts integrated curriculum is what improves test scores, something that the American education has yet to figure out. School districts in the United States began to worry about test scores and sought to cut budgets for arts related programs. Few schools in the U.S. have arts integrated curriculum and those who do have seen their test scores rise considerably. Students who do partake in music related activities generally receive better test scores.
Personal Reflection:
It is interesting that in the early years of schooling many lessons are taught through music. The alphabet is the most prevalent and is the fundamental of our language. In fact, the song is so programmed into our brains, most people will often sing through the entire song in order to see find a word in the dictionary for example. It is no surprise that there is a connection with children doing well in school and music. Allowing the brain to be engaged in making music at an early age starts to train the mind for other subjects because it activates nearly every part of the brain. If the government really wanted to improve national test scores they would make it mandatory for every student to be involved in a type of fine arts throughout their entire school careers, especially in early education.
"Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Achievement"
Study Name: Enhanced Learning of Proportional Math Through Music Training and Spatial-Temporal Training
Three groups of second-graders took part in the study where they had to manipulate images mentally, (i.e. rotating shapes and folding them in half) and answer questions based upon spatial presentations of fractions and proportions (i.e. if shape one takes one coat of paint, how much will shape 2?). One group of these children received a combination spatial-temporal training and piano keyboard training. The second group received the same amount of spatial-temporal training but instead of piano lessons they went to English-language training on a computer. The third group did not receive any training at all. All children were pre and post tested to see their improvement. The group that received both piano and spatial-temporal training scored 15% higher on the test than those who only received spatial-temporal and English-language learning. However, both of these groups' scores were significantly higher than those who received no training at all. There is a direct correlation between music and spatial-temporal training.
Personal Reflection:
When reading music, the brain has to translate what is essentially circles and lines into something that makes sense. The mind has to figure out what notes should be played and how they correlate to an instrument (or voice). How fast the notes need to be played and how they should be played also need to be figured out within milliseconds. Seeing notes on a page and being able to translate it into something audible is a type of spatial-temporal reasoning because it is taking something visual and be represented in a different form. It is no surprise that the children who received lessons in piano scored significantly higher than those who took English-language lessons.
"Music Enhances Spatial-Temporal Reasoning: Towards Neurophysiological Basis Using EEG"
Listening to music activates the parts of the brain that spatial-temporal reasoning takes place. The trion model represents the parts of the brain which is an organization of the neural network of the cortex (dealing with higher functions such as learning). This part of the brain is especially active when listening to music, playing chess or doing math and is a crucial factor in a baby's learning. A key component to spatial temporal reasoning is pattern development. Spatial temporal reasoning is the ability to create, maintain, transform and relate complex mental images which directly correlates with music. Music enhances the ability to accomplish pattern development and may serve as a pre-language. To test this theory, the Mozart effect was created by Rauscher. Rauscher thought that if music training at an early age produces long term enhancements that listening to music would give short term. In his theory, he played ten minutes worth of Mozart to college students right before they took a test dealing with spatial-temporal reasoning. All had taken this previously and scored higher after listening. They then discuss the case study mentioned above with the one following (this one) about how they help understand one another. Spatial-temporal reasoning leads to better learning of mathematics such as proportional reasoning and language-analytic methods. An EEG was taken when someone listened to Mozart and compared it to someone who was reading a short story, which showed that the neural activity took place in the same spot as spatial temporal reasoning. Positive changes are undergone in the brain when listening to Mozart for example, the neural activity in the brain is quicker at making connections.
Personal Reflection:
The importance of even listening to music at an early age in order for the brain to be active and properly develop is crucial for a child's learning as it allows for higher brain functions later in life. As I mentioned previously, the ability to translate notes into something audible and emotionally directly corresponds with creating, maintaining, transforming and relating
aspects of spatial-temporal reasoning. In the Mozart Effect experiment, students activated parts of the brain by listening to music that was associated with positivity. Since the music of Mozart excites the brain, it allows for easier access to that which was lacking when the students took the test the first time. Music creates a better connection of the two hemispheres of the brain because it is used to having high neural activity when listening. Even listening to complex music such as Mozart can positively affect the brain.
"Music makes you smarter, happier"
Robert Alison quotes Nina Krauss at Northwestern University that music has a pervasive affect on how the nervous system develops that can only be done by the power of music. It increases spatial-temporal reasoning which is extremely important in mathematics and engineering. He goes on to saying that the Mozart effect has proved that there are collective benefits by listening to music and Daniel Levitin at McGill University said that it is the most complicated tasks we have. Music activates almost every part of the brain, some parts important in long term memory retention and the brain's pleasure centers. Babies have an innate readiness for music and is like magic to children, which is why people feel nostalgic when listening to songs from their youth. The process of listening to music from one's childhood can be therapeutic and beneficial when treating mental disorders and hospitalized children.
Personal Reflection: America and a lot of nations are consumed with the idea that they need to dish out engineers and scientists in order to further their nations. They (more centered towards the US) must realize that without English and the arts, people cannot excel in engineering and science as they want the nation to do. Our government is insistent upon saying that all of the future jobs are only in those fields dealing with science and mathematics. What is frustrating about the government is that it is allowing corporate reformers to adjust the entire nations curriculum because they are giving them money. Politicians are doing this by endorsing such entreprenuers and in return, give the politicians money for campaigning. No one in this process, is concerned with the education of our students. The government needs to recognize that the arts are crucial in prevailing in the areas that it wishes to do.
"Music holds key to providing a quality education system"
Richard Gill makes note that Australia is suffering from an educational decline and a very large achievement gap. He recognizes that because of this, their students are only being half educated and if they are not receiving a quality music education, their brains are being starved. He argues that music "acts on the heart, mind, soul, and spirit of the child, stimulating thought and imagination." Students who engage in music will have a more profound impact on learning. Arts education should be involved into a student's curriculum as soon as possible. Music education is vital because it results in kids being engaged in the class room and to think, perceive and act upon ideas. Politics is stressing the decline in education and are throwing millions of dollars to education the past few years wasting everyone's time with NAPLAN (National Assessment Program- Literature and Numeracy). Test scores would improve dramatically because healthy minds would be engaged in arts education. Until we start valuing arts education, Australia will be a dull, unimaginative nation and education will remain in the decline until it is done so.
Personal Reflection:
All aspects of music are beneficial to the developing human brain and aid in furthering education. It has been scientifically proven that those who have had any musical training at all perform better on tests and do better in school in general. The arts allow students to think about ideas, question them and question them. Something that is lacking in the era of standardized test which only teaches students how to take a test, not learn important knowledge and the most important knowledge, how to learn. Politics need to start thinking morally about their youth's education and need to stop being consumed with the wealth they receive when they aid corporate reformers.
Deasy, Richard J. Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Achievement "Enhanced learning of Proportional Math Through Music Training and Spatial-Temporal Training." (n.d). ERIC Institution of Education Sciences. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED466413.pdf.
Shaw, Dr. Gordon L. and Mark Bodner. Music Enhances Spatial-Temporal Reasoning: Towards a Neurophysiological Basis Using EEG. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, October 1999; vol. 30: pp. 155-155. Retrieved from http://eeg.sagepub.com/content/30/4/151.full.pdf+html.
Music's Benefits of Spatial-Temporal Reasoning
"The Effects of Music and Academics"
The importance of music's connection with academics is that it leads to success in other areas, especially if engaged at an early age. For example, mothers often sing lullabies to their child and it will often respond with positive behavior. Children, in their elementary school years or younger associate a music with learning how to count for example. Musical instruction increases mathematical skills and ability to solve problems. This type of thinking that music allows to humans to tap into much more easily is called spatial-temporal reasoning. Spatial-temporal reasoning is the key to higher brain functions and is required in areas such as mathematics, science and engineering. Successful schools around the world have figured out that arts integrated curriculum is what improves test scores, something that the American education has yet to figure out. School districts in the United States began to worry about test scores and sought to cut budgets for arts related programs. Few schools in the U.S. have arts integrated curriculum and those who do have seen their test scores rise considerably. Students who do partake in music related activities generally receive better test scores.
Personal Reflection:
It is interesting that in the early years of schooling many lessons are taught through music. The alphabet is the most prevalent and is the fundamental of our language. In fact, the song is so programmed into our brains, most people will often sing through the entire song in order to see find a word in the dictionary for example. It is no surprise that there is a connection with children doing well in school and music. Allowing the brain to be engaged in making music at an early age starts to train the mind for other subjects because it activates nearly every part of the brain. If the government really wanted to improve national test scores they would make it mandatory for every student to be involved in a type of fine arts throughout their entire school careers, especially in early education.
"Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Achievement"
Study Name: Enhanced Learning of Proportional Math Through Music Training and Spatial-Temporal Training
Three groups of second-graders took part in the study where they had to manipulate images mentally, (i.e. rotating shapes and folding them in half) and answer questions based upon spatial presentations of fractions and proportions (i.e. if shape one takes one coat of paint, how much will shape 2?). One group of these children received a combination spatial-temporal training and piano keyboard training. The second group received the same amount of spatial-temporal training but instead of piano lessons they went to English-language training on a computer. The third group did not receive any training at all. All children were pre and post tested to see their improvement. The group that received both piano and spatial-temporal training scored 15% higher on the test than those who only received spatial-temporal and English-language learning. However, both of these groups' scores were significantly higher than those who received no training at all. There is a direct correlation between music and spatial-temporal training.
Personal Reflection:
When reading music, the brain has to translate what is essentially circles and lines into something that makes sense. The mind has to figure out what notes should be played and how they correlate to an instrument (or voice). How fast the notes need to be played and how they should be played also need to be figured out within milliseconds. Seeing notes on a page and being able to translate it into something audible is a type of spatial-temporal reasoning because it is taking something visual and be represented in a different form. It is no surprise that the children who received lessons in piano scored significantly higher than those who took English-language lessons.
"Music Enhances Spatial-Temporal Reasoning: Towards Neurophysiological Basis Using EEG"
Listening to music activates the parts of the brain that spatial-temporal reasoning takes place. The trion model represents the parts of the brain which is an organization of the neural network of the cortex (dealing with higher functions such as learning). This part of the brain is especially active when listening to music, playing chess or doing math and is a crucial factor in a baby's learning. A key component to spatial temporal reasoning is pattern development. Spatial temporal reasoning is the ability to create, maintain, transform and relate complex mental images which directly correlates with music. Music enhances the ability to accomplish pattern development and may serve as a pre-language. To test this theory, the Mozart effect was created by Rauscher. Rauscher thought that if music training at an early age produces long term enhancements that listening to music would give short term. In his theory, he played ten minutes worth of Mozart to college students right before they took a test dealing with spatial-temporal reasoning. All had taken this previously and scored higher after listening. They then discuss the case study mentioned above with the one following (this one) about how they help understand one another. Spatial-temporal reasoning leads to better learning of mathematics such as proportional reasoning and language-analytic methods. An EEG was taken when someone listened to Mozart and compared it to someone who was reading a short story, which showed that the neural activity took place in the same spot as spatial temporal reasoning. Positive changes are undergone in the brain when listening to Mozart for example, the neural activity in the brain is quicker at making connections.
Personal Reflection:
The importance of even listening to music at an early age in order for the brain to be active and properly develop is crucial for a child's learning as it allows for higher brain functions later in life. As I mentioned previously, the ability to translate notes into something audible and emotionally directly corresponds with creating, maintaining, transforming and relating
aspects of spatial-temporal reasoning. In the Mozart Effect experiment, students activated parts of the brain by listening to music that was associated with positivity. Since the music of Mozart excites the brain, it allows for easier access to that which was lacking when the students took the test the first time. Music creates a better connection of the two hemispheres of the brain because it is used to having high neural activity when listening. Even listening to complex music such as Mozart can positively affect the brain.
"Music makes you smarter, happier"
Robert Alison quotes Nina Krauss at Northwestern University that music has a pervasive affect on how the nervous system develops that can only be done by the power of music. It increases spatial-temporal reasoning which is extremely important in mathematics and engineering. He goes on to saying that the Mozart effect has proved that there are collective benefits by listening to music and Daniel Levitin at McGill University said that it is the most complicated tasks we have. Music activates almost every part of the brain, some parts important in long term memory retention and the brain's pleasure centers. Babies have an innate readiness for music and is like magic to children, which is why people feel nostalgic when listening to songs from their youth. The process of listening to music from one's childhood can be therapeutic and beneficial when treating mental disorders and hospitalized children.
Personal Reflection:
America and a lot of nations are consumed with the idea that they need to dish out engineers and scientists in order to further their nations. They (more centered towards the US) must realize that without English and the arts, people cannot excel in engineering and science as they want the nation to do. Our government is insistent upon saying that all of the future jobs are only in those fields dealing with science and mathematics. What is frustrating about the government is that it is allowing corporate reformers to adjust the entire nations curriculum because they are giving them money. Politicians are doing this by endorsing such entreprenuers and in return, give the politicians money for campaigning. No one in this process, is concerned with the education of our students. The government needs to recognize that the arts are crucial in prevailing in the areas that it wishes to do.
"Music holds key to providing a quality education system"
Richard Gill makes note that Australia is suffering from an educational decline and a very large achievement gap. He recognizes that because of this, their students are only being half educated and if they are not receiving a quality music education, their brains are being starved. He argues that music "acts on the heart, mind, soul, and spirit of the child, stimulating thought and imagination." Students who engage in music will have a more profound impact on learning. Arts education should be involved into a student's curriculum as soon as possible. Music education is vital because it results in kids being engaged in the class room and to think, perceive and act upon ideas. Politics is stressing the decline in education and are throwing millions of dollars to education the past few years wasting everyone's time with NAPLAN (National Assessment Program- Literature and Numeracy). Test scores would improve dramatically because healthy minds would be engaged in arts education. Until we start valuing arts education, Australia will be a dull, unimaginative nation and education will remain in the decline until it is done so.
Personal Reflection:
All aspects of music are beneficial to the developing human brain and aid in furthering education. It has been scientifically proven that those who have had any musical training at all perform better on tests and do better in school in general. The arts allow students to think about ideas, question them and question them. Something that is lacking in the era of standardized test which only teaches students how to take a test, not learn important knowledge and the most important knowledge, how to learn. Politics need to start thinking morally about their youth's education and need to stop being consumed with the wealth they receive when they aid corporate reformers.
Citiation:
Alison, Robert. (2010, September 15). Music makes you smarter, happier. Winnipeg Free Press (MB). p. A10. Retrieved from http://0-web.ebscohost.com.helin.uri.edu/pov/detail?vid=34&sid=26916443-fb7e-4887-ba10-ddc3937186f6%40sessionmgr4&hid=25&bdata=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxpdmU%3d#db=pwh&AN=7BS2691677388.
Deasy, Richard J. Critical Links: Learning in the Arts and Student Academic and Social Achievement "Enhanced learning of Proportional Math Through Music Training and Spatial-Temporal Training." (n.d). ERIC Institution of Education Sciences. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED466413.pdf.
The Effects of Music and Academics. (n.d). Hub Pages. Retrieved November 21, 2013, from http://bluehenge1.hubpages.com/hub/The-Effects-of-Music-and-Academics.
Gill, Richard. (2013, August 12). Music holds key to providing a quality education system. Sydney Morning herald, The. p. 11. Retrieved from http://0-web.ebscohost.com.helin.uri.edu/pov/detail?vid=29&sid=26916443-fb7e-4887-ba10-ddc3937186f6%40sessionmgr4&hid=25&bdata=JnNpdGU9cG92LWxpdmU%3d#db=pwh&AN=SYD-6BCBW9B4J3S1IL0H9BZ7.
Shaw, Dr. Gordon L. and Mark Bodner. Music Enhances Spatial-Temporal Reasoning: Towards a Neurophysiological Basis Using EEG. Clinical EEG and Neuroscience, October 1999; vol. 30: pp. 155-155. Retrieved from http://eeg.sagepub.com/content/30/4/151.full.pdf+html.